This publicity image released by ABC shows Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere in a scene from 'Nashville.' / ABC / AP

Written by

Joey Garrison

The Tennessean

Metro government has agreed to chip in $500,000 to ensure that the production of the second season of “Nashville” stays here — a small price, officials say, for what amounts to a one-hour nationally televised advertisement for the city.

The Metro Council voted unanimously Tuesday to complete a grant agreement with Santa Monica, California-based Music City Productions Inc. that stipulates the company produce the majority of scenes from at least 13 episodes within Davidson County’s boundaries.

At-large Councilman Ronnie Steine likened the ABC series to a “commercial” for Nashville. “Most of us agree: The city looks great, sounds great, and importantly to us all, the music is authentic.”

The payout marks what is believed to be Metro’s first-ever monetary play in the film or television industry, and it continues Mayor Karl Dean's incentive-based business approach. Unlike the state, the city did not provide any incentives to “Nashville” during the filming of its first season, which wrapped up its inaugural season in May.

“Nashville,” a drama centered on the city’s music scene, was able to recoup 32 percent of its first-year production costs in the form of a grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, which reimbursed 17 percent of the costs and a 15 percent refundable tax credit from the state Department of Revenue.

The state is contributing $12.5 million for the filming of the show’s second season, which crews have already started filming around town. In addition, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. and Metro's Event Marketing Fund are delivering $125,000 each to keep the prime-time drama's actors and crews here.

City officials estimate that “Nashville” will generate more than $40 million in spending in the region via labor, goods and services.

In another economic development move, the council adopted a new policy to require recipients of incentives to “establish a goal” of spending at least 20 percent of project costs on small, minority-owned or women-owned contractors. This mirrors a policy the city has for civic construction projects such as Music City Center, but there is no quota.

“Achieving that goal would not be mandatory,” council attorney Jon Cooper said.

Still, the bill’s sponsor, Jerry Maynard, said this puts small businesses “at a level playing field” in getting city contracts.

“This puts Nashville ahead of the curve for any municipality that is helping small businesses grow, create jobs and spur economic growth in its city.”

Under the policy, business receiving grants are required to adopt the city’s workforce development program that seeks to connect Davidson County businesses and workers with jobs.

Meanwhile, as Metro school officials explore cost-cutting measures amid a projected $23 million shortfall, the council indefinitely deferred a resolution sponsored by Councilman Steve Glover that would have asked the state for a “moratorium” from opening more charter schools — which he believes is a source of those strains.

Glover said the city was “at a crossroads” when it comes to the cost of charter school. He said he hopes his resolution has at least “woken up a lot of folks” to start a conversation about the issue.